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The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century

Average customer rating:

Enlightening
Vision
Should be required reading for teachers
Hey, this book is about me!
Fantastic and very insightful - 6 Stars

The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
Thomas L. Friedman
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0374292795
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Amazon.com

Updated Edition: Thomas L. Friedman is not so much a futurist, which he is sometimes called, as a presentist. His aim in The World Is Flat, as in his earlier, influential Lexus and the Olive Tree, is not to give you a speculative preview of the wonders that are sure to come in your lifetime, but rather to get you caught up on the wonders that are already here. The world isn't going to be flat, it is flat, which gives Friedman's breathless narrative much of its urgency, and which also saves it from the Epcot-style polyester sheen that futurists--the optimistic ones at least--are inevitably prey to.

What Friedman means by "flat" is "connected": the lowering of trade and political barriers and the exponential technical advances of the digital revolution that have made it possible to do business, or almost anything else, instantaneously with billions of other people across the planet. This in itself should not be news to anyone. But the news that Friedman has to deliver is that just when we stopped paying attention to these developments--when the dot-com bust turned interest away from the business and technology pages and when 9/11 and the Iraq War turned all eyes toward the Middle East--is when they actually began to accelerate. Globalization 3.0, as he calls it, is driven not by major corporations or giant trade organizations like the World Bank, but by individuals: desktop freelancers and innovative startups all over the world (but especially in India and China) who can compete--and win--not just for low-wage manufacturing and information labor but, increasingly, for the highest-end research and design work as well. (He doesn't forget the "mutant supply chains" like Al-Qaeda that let the small act big in more destructive ways.)

Friedman has embraced this flat world in his own work, continuing to report on his story after his book's release and releasing an unprecedented hardcover update of the book a year later with 100 pages of revised and expanded material. What's changed in a year? Some of the sections that opened eyes in the first edition--on China and India, for example, and the global supply chain--are largely unaltered. Instead, Friedman has more to say about what he now calls "uploading," the direct-from-the-bottom creation of culture, knowledge, and innovation through blogging, podcasts, and open-source software. And in response to the pleas of many of his readers about how to survive the new flat world, he makes specific recommendations about the technical and creative training he thinks will be required to compete in the "New Middle" class. As before, Friedman tells his story with the catchy slogans and globe-hopping anecdotes that readers of his earlier books and his New York Times columns know well, and he holds to a stern sort of optimism. He wants to tell you how exciting this new world is, but he also wants you to know you're going to be trampled if you don't keep up with it. A year later, one can sense his rising impatience that our popular culture, and our political leaders, are not helping us keep pace. --Tom Nissley

Where Were You When the World Went Flat?

Thomas L. Friedman's reporter's curiosity and his ability to recognize the patterns behind the most complex global developments have made him one of the most entertaining and authoritative sources for information about the wider world we live in, both as the foreign affairs columnist for the New York Times and as the author of landmark books like From Beirut to Jerusalem and The Lexus and the Olive Tree. They also make him an endlessly fascinating conversation partner, and we've now had the chance to talk to him about The World Is Flat twice. Read our original interview with him following the publication of the first edition of The World Is Flat to learn why there's almost no one from Washington, D.C., listed in the index of a book about the global economy, and what his one-plank platform for president would be. (Hint: his bumper stickers would say, "Can You Hear Me Now?")

And now you can listen to our second interview, in which he talks about the updates he's made in "The World Is Flat 2.0," including his response to parents who said to him, "Great, Mr. Friedman, I'm glad you told us the world is flat. Now what do I tell my kids?"

The Essential Tom Friedman

From Beirut to Jerusalem

The Lexus and the Olive Tree

Longitudes and Attitudes

More on Globalization and Development

China, Inc. by Ted Fishman	Three Billion New Capitalists by Clyde Prestowitz	The End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs
Globalization and Its Discontents by Joseph Stiglitz	The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy by Pietra Rivoli	The Mystery of Capital by Hernando de Soto

Book Description

The World Is Flat is Thomas L. Friedman’s account of the great changes taking place in our time, as lightning-swift advances in technology and communications put people all over the globe in touch as never before—creating an explosion of wealth in India and China, and challenging the rest of us to run even faster just to stay in place. This updated and expanded edition features more than a hundred pages of fresh reporting and commentary, drawn from Friedman’s travels around the world and across the American heartland—from anyplace where the flattening of the world is being felt.

In The World Is Flat, Friedman at once shows “how and why globalization has now shifted into warp drive” (Robert Wright, Slate) and brilliantly demystifies the new flat world for readers, allowing them to make sense of the often bewildering scene unfolding before their eyes. With his inimitable ability to translate complex foreign policy and economic issues, he explains how the flattening of the world happened at the dawn of the twenty-first century; what it means to countries, companies, communities, and individuals; how governments and societies can, and must, adapt; and why terrorists want to stand in the way. More than ever, The World Is Flat is an essential update on globalization, its successes and discontents, powerfully illuminated by one of our most respected journalists.

Download Description

The Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist gives a bold, timely, and surprising picture of the state of globalization in the twenty-first century

Customer Reviews:

Enlightening.......2007-07-02

This review will offer the one thing the book does not... brevity. The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century, by Thomas L. Friedman, is a fine tutorial on the current state of economics and globalization. The author writes in a compelling fashion, making the points hit home. Rather enjoyable and incredibly enlightening. A 5 star read.

Vision.......2007-07-01

I really admire Mr. Friedman's ability to bring together history, politics, economics, technology and innovation into a coherent vision of the near future. He is incisive and passionate, which make his books easier to read than some others on the same theme. And many of conclusions seem to me to be right on track.

He leads off with the "ten forces that flattened the world." The first two are historical--the fall of the Berlin Wall on 11/9/89 and the date Netscape went public, 8/9/95. These dates speak powerfully to how the world has become smaller. The scientific and Industrial revolutions did their part to start shrinking the world but the opening of world borders and the Internet made simple and popular have accelerated this process to an almost unimaginable degree.

Friedman's verbalization of this in itself would have been enough to make this book valuable but he carries on from here. He examines important trends like outsourcing, insourcing and the need to accept these trends as inevitable and to prepare for them. He stresses the importance of education and recognizes the need to preserve some sense of individual culture in the midst of this "vanilla" world. He looks into the impact of "unflat" nations on the world stage.

All in all, he covers a lot of ground. If he goes on a little long--to my mind, the last eight "flatteners" could have been easily compressed by 70 pages--well, he is easily forgiven. He is trying to articulate a complete world-view, which is rare and admirable. At least he's contained his need to invent words and phrases which made his previous book, The Lexus and the Olive Tree, irritating to read at times. On the other hand, some of the fun has been lost in this new book.

[...]

Should be required reading for teachers.......2007-07-01

This book is truly amazing. As a 7th grade math and science teacher, it is terrifying to watch our kids falling more and more behind primarily because they just don't care or don't see the global implications that their failures have for our nation. This book shocked me and opened my eyes to the realities of our "flat" world, and to the fact that we are rapidly losing our place in a global market. This book is thoroughly researched, brilliantly thought out, and superbly written. Read it now, for yourself and your kids, before it is too late.

Hey, this book is about me!.......2007-06-28

I've only read the first few chapters, but this is an interesting book on how technology is making the world flatter, bringing us all closer together and giving more people more power to influence the world.

It hits particularly close to home for me, because I've been using many of these technologies for a very long time. Recently become a remote worker and am becoming even more of a player in the flat world.

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I would recommend it to you, as well.

Fantastic and very insightful - 6 Stars.......2007-06-19

Mr. Friedman is par excellence. He has coined these new buzzwords and introduced a whole new subject that very profound affects every individuals and beyond including things that make up this world. A must read and a keep sake!

Average customer rating:

International Economics (2nd Edition)
W. Charles Sawyer , and Richard L. Sprinkle
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0131704168

Book Description

This easy-to-read book emphasizes how to use basic economic theory and where to apply it to international economic issues. It empowers readers to understand the international economics they will encounter in business publications such as the Wall Street Journal, and to use international economics to make business decisions. The first half of the book covers international trade, factor movements, and trade and economic development; the final ten chapters on international finance can be divided into at least three parts: national income accounting and exchange rate determination; purchasing power parity and the real exchange rate; and open economy macroeconomics. A useful reference for government officials dealing with international trade and finance issues, and for private citizens who want to learn more about the effect of international economics on business in the 21 ^st century.

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Indian outsourcers are now where the Japanese automotive companues were in 1969 - huge changes are coming
More Valuable When Generalized!
A great wake-up call to American business leaders... it's all about process innovation
More than Offshoring

Bangalore Tiger
Steve Hamm
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0071474781

Book Description

Of all the tech tigers in India, Wipro is one of a handful that stands out from the pack. In the past five years, it has become one of the most accomplished tech services providers in the world, delivering business value through a combination of process excellence, quality frameworks, and service delivery innovation. Totally dedicated to customer satisfaction, Wipro is known to go above and beyond to make customers happy. It’s a move that’s paid off handsomely, with a 24 percent operating profit in its tech services division—more than twice the industry average.

Bangalore Tiger is the story of Wipro’s transformation and its impact on the tech services industry and the rules of global competition. BusinessWeek senior writer Steve Hamm takes you inside the halls of this transnational phenomenon to reveal the true secrets of Wipro’s superior business: its people, principles, and core competencies.

From Wipro’s triumphs to its missteps, Hamm mines a treasure of business lessons, explaining how and, more important, why it is necessary to:

Expand quickly without stumbling
Follow the new rules for outsourcers
Innovate every day—or else
Be obsessive about customers
Motivate employees the Wipro way
Plan three years ahead to prepare for rapid growth

Hamm also gives you a rare glimpse into the mind of Wipro’s charismatic chairman and thought leader, Azim Premji. Guiding Wipro’s growth every step of the way, Premji was one of the first business leaders in India to decree that his company would not pay bribes. You’ll see how his adoption of world-class business processes helped Wipro thrive—and how Wipro is helping to fulfill his dream of a better educated, more prosperous India. Removing the shroud of secrecy around Indian management principles, Hamm provides a real-world blueprint for operating a successful transnational organization, as viewed through the eye of the Bangalore Tiger.

Customer Reviews:

Indian outsourcers are now where the Japanese automotive companues were in 1969 - huge changes are coming.......2007-02-19

Steve Hamm has given us a useful book about an important company. The emergence of the big Indian outsourcers is one of the most promising developments of the past decade and is every bit as important as the rise of Toyota, Honda and the rest of the Japanese automotive industry. Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, HCL, NIIT (a smaller player, but important in learning and as an enabler) and of course Wipro are redefining the world of software services, and in all likelihood we are just at the beginning of the transformation that this will catalyze.

In Bangalore Tiger the story of the rise of Wipro from a small Mumbai food-oil company to a multi-billion dollar information services and business process outsourcer is well told. The discipline and vision of its management, led by Azim Premji, comes across clearly, as does the culture of efficiency, innovation, and customer service that he and his team have created. Extremely important for those of us who collaborate and compete with the Indian tigers is the way they have adopted and then transformed key management tools. The Indian tigers have shown true leadership in implementing CMM (the Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model), making rigorous use of techniques such as UML (something Hamm misses in his book), ISO standards and even Six Sigma. Wipro's application of Toyota's lean production system to software and business services is an important development and one worthy of much more attention. The Deming is to Toyota as SEI CMM is to Wipro analogy works for me. And then to bring this full circle by applying the Toyota way to software is a lovely development.

So why only four stars? Part of this is a response to Hamm's irritating comments on US companies, which often seem to be poorly informed. In fact, people in Western services business work every bit as hard as those at Wipro, at least the ones I work with, and are as open and aggressive about applying new methodologies. The book also suffers from the occasional technical errors (I suppose his editors should have caught these). In order to get a fuller view of the rise of the Indian IT and business process outsourcers one must read much more widely on the overall structure of Indian business (the role of Indian generic drug manufacturers for example), understand the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian educational system, and put this in context of the emerging competitive partnership with China.

But read the book. I know Wipro reasonably well, have visited Indian companies in India, and try to keep current in the area, and I learned a great deal.

More Valuable When Generalized!.......2007-01-11

"Bangalore Tiger's" purpose is to provide insight and praise for Wipro, a large and growing outsourcing company in India. (Market capitalization 2/06 of $20 billion, vs. $13 billion for EDS - the original outsourcer.) However, the book's real value is to document outsourcing trends in the software and business process re-engineering areas. (Also remember that libraries are full of analyses of successful companies at the height of their impact, only to flame-out 2-3 years later.)

Hamm asserts that '03 profit margins at the top six Indian software etc. technology firms averaged 21.7%, vs. 4.3% for the top Western firms (eg. IBM, EDS, HP, etc.). While the Indian share was only 3% in '06, it had grown 33% in just the last year, and was projected to hit 10% by '08. Meanwhile, it is also expanding to legal, market research, online education, and medical areas. Experts believe India's economy will be the world's 3rd largest by 2050, behind China and the U.S.

Addition insight into the power of the Indian challenge is provided by returning to Wipro data: 1.2 million apply/year, but only 20,000 are hired. Wipro operates about 40 Centers of Excellence at any one time - these focus on integrating emerging technologies into business process.

Finally, as to the credibility of the Wipro (think India) threat - Hamm reminds us how people laughed at Toyota when it first sent cars to the U.S.

Large business managers and politicians need to read "Bangalore Tiger," as well as other books summarizing the China and illegal Mexican immigrant threats to the U.S. One may be OK - all three provide serious challenge.

A great wake-up call to American business leaders... it's all about process innovation.......2006-10-15

As the book description says, Hamm gives you a rare glimpse into the mind of Wipro's charismatic chairman and thought leader, Azim Premji. Premji's adoption of world-class business processes helped Wipro thrive. Indeed, the Wipro Way will soon be a baseline for management, as was The Toyota Way in years past.

It's all about "Extreme Competition," as described in Business Process Management guru, Peter Fingar's book by that title. Here's what Premji wrote on the back cover of "Extreme Competition, "In an interconnected world, the services sector has seen varied levels innovation, often inspired by historical breakthroughs in manufacturing. At Wipro we are pioneering the use of Lean manufacturing techniques in the digitization of business processes. This innovation is our key to surviving and thriving in the world of Extreme Competition. --Azim Premji, Chairman, Wipro Ltd., Chennai, India

Taken together, "Bangalor Tiger" and "Extreme Competition" will arm you with the knowledge you need to get ready for total global competition. And you'd better be ready, for globalization is the greatest reorganization of the business world since the Industrial Revolution.

More than Offshoring.......2006-10-14

While the book focuses on WIPRO (an Indian high tech company), it really is an insightful description of a major global economic shift. While the book focuses on a particular Indian company, it carries significant messages for North American companies - not only what we need to learn to be competitive, but also how we need to adjust to take advantage of the things that "WIPRO" brings to our businesses. I discovered that these Indian companies provide much more than low-cost labor for things like programming or phone services. They are building a whole new infrastructure to engage in the full gamut of development and innovation in high tech.
Thoroughly readable and comprehensive, Bangalore Tiger is a must read for those of us who care about staying competitive as this economic shift evolves.

Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty

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Eye Opening
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Book
An autobiographical tour de force!
a book you should read
a small idea that grew and helped people

Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty
Muhammad Yunus
Manufacturer: PublicAffairs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1586481983
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Amazon.com

It began with a simple $27 loan. After witnessing the cycle of poverty that kept many poor women enslaved to high-interest loan sharks in Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Yunus lent money to 42 women so they could purchase bamboo to make and sell stools. In a short time, the women were able to repay the loans while continuing to support themselves and their families. With that initial eye-opening success, the seeds of the Grameen Bank, and the concept of microcredit, were planted.

After earning a Ph.D. in economics at Vanderbilt University, Dr. Yunus returned to Bangladesh to settle into a life as a professor. But a famine in 1974 ravaged the country, leading Dr. Yunus to alter his thinking and his life profoundly: "What good were all my complex theories when people were dying of starvation on the sidewalks and porches across from my lecture hall?.... Nothing in the economic theories I taught reflected the life around me." Armed with little more than a lofty dream to end the suffering around him, he started an experimental microcredit enterprise in 1977; by 1983 the Grameen Bank was officially formed.

The idea behind the Grameen Bank is ingeniously simple: extend credit to poor people and they will help themselves. This concept strikes at the root of poverty by specifically targeting the poorest of the poor, providing small loans (usually less than $300) to those unable to obtain credit from traditional banks. At Grameen, loans are administered to groups of five people, with only two receiving their money up front. As soon as these two make a few regular payments, loans are gradually extended to the rest of the group. In this way, the program builds a sense of community as well as individual self-reliance. Most of the Grameen Bank's loans are to women, and since its inception, there has been an astonishing loan repayment rate of over 98 percent.

Banker to the Poor is an inspiring memoir of the birth of microcredit, written in a conversational tone that makes it both moving and enjoyable to read. The Grameen Bank is now a $2.5 billion banking enterprise in Bangladesh, while the microcredit model has spread to over 50 countries worldwide, from the U.S. to Papua New Guinea, Norway to Nepal. Ever optimistic, Yunus travels the globe spreading the belief that poverty can be eliminated: "...the poor, once economically empowered, are the most determined fighters in the battle to solve the population problem; end illiteracy; and live healthier, better lives. When policy makers finally realize that the poor are their partners, rather than bystanders or enemies, we will progress much faster that we do today." Dr. Yunus's efforts prove that hope is a global currency. --Shawn Carkonen

Book Description

This autobiography of the world-renowned, visionary economist who came up with a simple but revolutionary solution to end world poverty--micro-credit--has become the classic text for a growing movement.

In 1983 Muhammad Yunus established Grameen, a bank devoted to providing the poorest of Bangladesh with miniscule loans. He aimed to help the poor by supporting the spark of personal initiative and enterprise by which they could lift themselves out of poverty forever. It was an idea born on a day in 1976 when he loaned $27 from his own pocket to forty-two people living in a tiny village. They were stool makers who only needed enough credit to purchase the raw materials for their trade. Yunus's loan helped them break the cycle of poverty and changed their lives forever. His solution to world poverty, founded on the belief that credit is a fundamental human right, is brilliantly simple: loan poor people money on terms that are suitable to them, teach them a few sound financial principles, and they will help themselves.

Yunus's theories work. Grameen Bank has provided 3.8 billion dollars to 2.4 million families in rural Bangladesh. Today, more than 250 institutions in nearly 100 countries operate micro-credit programs based on the Grameen methodology, placing Grameen at the forefront of a burgeoning world movement toward eradicating poverty through micro-lending.

Customer Reviews:

Eye Opening.......2007-06-27

I'm very impressed with Mohammad Yunus. He created an entire network of microlending without ever selling out his dreams or ideas to the larger banks or even the World Bank. I found his passion to help the extreme poor to be inspiring. I have a new found understanding and respect of Bangladesh and its' people through his eyes. He is most deserving of the Novel Peace Prize.

Nobel Peace Prize Winner Book.......2007-06-09

This book arrived on time and in great shape, which I was pleased with since it was mailed to a friend as a gift. Thanks!

An autobiographical tour de force!.......2007-05-30

A saga of how one man can truly transform the lives of millions of a lesser God. The eminent Nobel Peace Laureate, Mohammad Yunus elucidates his path-breaking business model of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, which lends without any collateral to the financially and the socially ostracized. His ideology - access to credit is a fundamental human right. What is interesting to note is that 98% of the borrowers are women (way to go, ladies!) and the impressive repayment rate of 97%, which is way superior to that found in traditional banks. I relished the success stories explicating how these industrious women entrepreneurs were able to free themselves from the viscious cycle of poverty not to mention the happy escape from the exploitative and manipulative money lenders and come out on top. Very heart-warming indeed! The borrowers own 90% of the bank. Convinces you that micro-credit is an incredibly powerful tool for eradicating world poverty. Little wonder, Dr. Yunus' successful business model is implemented by so many other countries today.

Ergo, this book deserves a chance if you are intrigued by the concept of micro-credit or feel the inclination for some inspiration, you will not be disappointed.

a book you should read.......2007-05-26

you should read this book not because its exceptionally well written, because it is only competently written. You should read it because it is written by a man who has challenged our business model of helping the poor (and make no mistake, helping the poor is a business model more than a charity model)>

There is a reason these ideas rated a Nobel Peace prize, and reading about the thoughts and ideas in the firsst person is more powerful than others' interpretations.

So read it to learn, and to expand your thinking.

a small idea that grew and helped people.......2007-05-18

Mr. Yunnus details how he helped people slowly and on a small basis and with that foundation helped people on a larger scale. The discussion of failure and politics and buercracy are invaluable here. A great book especially if you are studying economics and banking.

International Building Code 2003 (International Building Code)

Average customer rating:

international building code 2003 3 ring binder
The IBC more than just another building code
A Strucural Engineer's Necessity
49 states are now adopting this Code

International Building Code 2003 (International Building Code)
International Code Council
Manufacturer: Thomson Delmar Learning
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1892395568

Book Description

The 2003 International Building Code addresses the design and installation of building systems through requirements that emphasize performance. Fully compatible with all the International Codes, the 2003 edition provides up-to-date, comprehensive coverage that establishes minimum regulations for building systems using prescriptive- and performance-related provisions. Content is founded on broad-based principles that make possible the use of materials and building designs. Structural as well as fire- and life-safety provisions covering seismic, wind, accessibility, egress, occupancy, roofs, and more are included.

Customer Reviews:

international building code 2003 3 ring binder.......2007-03-16

book arrived on time in great condition, better than i expected. I was a little concerned about buying on line but this was worth it no dought!! great investment for my small business, Arctic Aloha Drafting, Thank you.

The IBC more than just another building code.......2006-03-22

The IBC is the long-time-coming consolidation of the three major building codes in the US and there is nothing "international" about it. Back in the 70's the 3 code organizations formed BOCA and put out a 1 & 2 family dwelling code. The 3 members them gradually made changes to the individual building codes that brought them into similar formats, then they combined them into one code in 2000, the IBC, and modified the dwelling code to be the IRC (Int. Residential Code)and changed the organization's name to the ICC, the Int. Code Council. There little to review about the content since it is either the law in your area or it is not. For comparisons to previous codes and other information try the ICC's website http://www.iccsafe.org/

A Strucural Engineer's Necessity.......2005-09-06

It is pretty difficult to review a specification that you must have.

49 states are now adopting this Code.......2003-09-07

Better learn this code. Local codes are being swept away by one standard. Here is Colorado each town had its own test, amendments and licensing system. California is the only state, having revamped its code 2 years ago, to keep its system.
I finish basements, often for homeowners who think they can do it. From Loveland, I can work any city without irate inspectors wondering why I don't know their specific requirements. Good book.

Fundamentals of Multinational Finance (2nd Edition) (Eiteman Series)

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Fundamentals of Multinational Finance (2nd Edition) (Eiteman Series)
Michael H. Moffett , Arthur I. Stonehill , and David K. Eiteman
Manufacturer: Addison Wesley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Global Strategy (with World Map and InfoTrac )

Average customer rating:

Great book for International Business/Strategy class
Avoid this textbook
Very engaging book

Global Strategy (with World Map and InfoTrac )
Mike W. Peng
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International Organizational Behavior, Second Edition

ASIN: 0324288522

Book Description

Discover both sides of international business and how to prepare for the future. GLOBAL STRATEGY doesn't just show you what it's like for foreign businesses entering a new market; it also reveals what domestic companies must do to survive foreign competition. Written to be easy-to-read and full of study tools, GLOBAL STRATEGY is the resource that helps out on the test and gets you ready for your next job. Your purchase includes a World Map and access to InfoTrac College Edition, an online university library of full-length articles from more than 5,000 academic and popular magazines, newspapers, and journals.

Customer Reviews:

Great book for International Business/Strategy class.......2007-03-07

As a professor, I have used several books for International Business classes and I have to say there are Global Business books that should have been titled as International Politics or American Business. This book has a good balance between country analyses such as EU regulation, privatization in emerging economies, and company perspectives such as entering into foreign countries, creating synergy between divisions. The cases cover companies from a lot of countries; they provide enough information to complement the chapters but are not too long so that it's easy to read through. My students and I enjoyed this book very much!

Avoid this textbook.......2006-12-25

I'm presently a student studying International Business and Marketing at a local university. This review is based on the copyright 2006 edition.

The real-world examples are extremely out of date for a global business book. For example, the interactive case 1.1 states 2000 annual report figures for GN Netcom. Another example, mentioning Yahoo! back in 2001. We all know how this competitive marketplace has changed dramatically over the past few years, and in fact changes every 6 months. When I am paying $113 for a textbook that publishers push out a new edition every year or two, I expect my money to go towards updates in the examples that are used. I realize that strategic principles don't change and can be applied towards any case in time- but this author charges a premium on a book that should be at least half the price.

Second, the structure and layout of this book is horrible. It does not break out the key points or core concepts from this rather blandly written book. The end of chapter questions are not intuitive enough, and lack the depth that a textbook should require. There is also not enough use of diagrams to illustrate the points in the text.

Third, this book is printed in black and white- another cost savings that should not justify the high price. It reminds me of reading textbooks from 15 years ago. This book will definitely be sold back at the end of the class.

So, if you are a teacher- please seriously evaluate this book before you require students to purchase it. I'm fortunate that I am taking another strategy class and there is enough overlap that I can just skim over Global Strategy by Mike Peng to fill in the gaps that I miss in the other book. A far better recommendation- Crafting and Executing Strategy by Arthur Thomson Jr., etc. Fellow students, I feel your pain if you have to read this book.

Very engaging book.......2005-04-26

This is by far the best written business textbook I read in college. The book offers a very wide variety of real-world examples of the different strategies and actions explained in the book. These examples span all kinds of companies, from large MNE's to small businesses based in developing nations. The text is written very straightforward and the book seems to flow well from chapter to chapter. I was lucky to have Mike Peng as my professor in international business, because he devoted as much attention to his students as he did to his textbook.

Average customer rating:

Concise, but poor explanations

Introduction to International Economics
Dominick Salvatore
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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International Economics and International Economics Policy: A Reader
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ASIN: 0471202266

Book Description

Introduction to International Trade and Finance is written for a one semester course in international economics found in undergraduate business programs. The author, Dominick Salvatore, is very well known and respected in this segment of the market. He presents the material using a real-world perspective in order to help readers gain a better understanding of critical concepts.

Customer Reviews:

Concise, but poor explanations.......2007-05-02

The concepts presented aren't that difficult; it's just that the descriptions and verbiage used make the explanations and examples difficult to see clearly. In some cases, they're too brief/hand-waving, and in other cases, worked-out examples/problems with numbers would have aided the student in remembering the concepts. In some instances, the key insight or point of clarity isn't discussed long enough to cement it in the mind of the reader. In some cases, cause and effect aren't clear.

Also missing is language that explains why, in real world terms, why the subject is important and directly affects people and decisions.

I honestly believe he's a knowledgeable economist...but this is where MOST professors and authors fail: because they're so advanced, they have never cultivated the ability to pre-digest the information into a form, and at a level of someone who doesn't yet understand and whose mind doesn't yet contain all the mental pictures and years of reinforcement/anchors. I know that in some instances, professors on tight schedules write fast and furious, rather than crafting their sentences, which is absolutely necessary when explaining new information.

The book is pleasantly thin, and all the chapters are filled with relevant information. A bit of focused review of supply and demand concepts would have helped, as well as more photographs. If I had written the book, the captions of the figures would have contained all the explanations, rather than placing them in text paragraphs.

International Business with Online Learning Center access card

Average customer rating:

Don't waste your money
Culture, Economics, Stategy, and Corportate Functions
smooth transaction, exact product, nice&easy supplier
Bias written into text
Good textbook

International Business with Online Learning Center access card
Charles W. L. Hill
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Accessories:

Designed to Win: Strategies for Building a Thriving Global Business

ASIN: 0073260711

Book Description

Market-defining since it was first introduced, International Business 6e by Charles W. L. Hill, continues to set the standard for international business textbooks. In writing the book, Charles Hill draws on his experience in teaching, writing, and global consulting to create the most thorough, up-to-date, and thought-provoking text on the market. Because many issues in international business are complex, the text explores the pros and cons of economic theories, government policies, business strategies, organizational structures, etc. Hill’s: International Business is known for its strong emphasis on strategy, and for maintaining a tight integrated flow between chapters. Hill’s book is practical in nature, focusing on the managerial implications of each topic on the actual practice of international business. The author’s passion and enthusiasm for the international business arena is apparent on every page as he strives to make important theories interesting, informative, and accessible to all students.

Customer Reviews:

Don't waste your money.......2007-06-28

I think that these reviews are for the textbook and not for this "outline." This product is nothing but a glossary and binder paper. It isn't worth half the price. I'm very, very disappointed. Most of the definitions are repeated in other chapters and it gives definitions for words like "Disney," and "Accounting." This thing is completely useless to me.

Culture, Economics, Stategy, and Corportate Functions.......2007-05-17

I've used previous editions of this text in my international business course, and have decided to adopt this one as well. The text does a great job of hitting every topic that international business people/corporations need to know. The text covers country differences, economics, strategy, and corporate functions.
Another Amazon review incorrectly suggested that the author of this text is biased politically and in favor of larger firms. If the author intended to introduce a political bias in the text he certainly could have done it with the cases, but it is clear from reading such cases as the Kellogg Brown & Root case on page 190 that the author has no particular axe to grind. It is, in short, simply impossible to guess the author's political orientation.
The book also has no bias in favor of larger firms. The business school in which I teach is (in fact) oriented towards entrepreneurship and smaller firms. The text was selected, in part, because the information imparted would be just as valuable to small firms as it would be to the large. The author specifically addresses the topic of "mini-multinationals" as well as topics that would be of interest primarily to smaller firms.

smooth transaction, exact product, nice&easy supplier.......2007-05-14

exact product at an affordable price w a smooth transaction

Bias written into text.......2007-05-13

If you don't mind your information being written from the Western, pro Big-Business, capitalist view, the bias conveyed throughout the text won't be a problem. But if you are looking for something objective, something to fairly present the concepts associated with globalization, search elsewhere.

In the first two chapters alone, several instances of bias are written into the text. For example, in the first chapter, protesters of the WTO are referred to as "anarchists" and in the second chapter the difference between communists and social democrats is claimed to be that communists use violence in their revolutions. This is clearly not the case. While historically this may be true of the revolts, this is not even close to the fundamental difference between the two groups. For the first example, it can be seen that thousands of people gather to protest the WTO and it is certain that a select few, if any, consider themselves anarchists.

It is clear where the author stands!

Good textbook.......2007-05-11

I have used this book for the past 10+ years for a college course in "International Business". The students are mostly business majors. Now I have History, English, Communication and other majors. It is important for all students to understand globaliztion. With the information technology and e-commerce, the world is getting closer and easier to reach. Only 10 percent of US firms (GM, Ford, IBM, Motorola etc) are doing International Business, but the upside potential is unlimited. This book is an excellent entry to this exciting and challenging field. The book will be better if it has the PowerPoint slides for professors and covers more examples on Logistics.

In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India

Average customer rating:

Expertly well constructed analysis.
Interesting, funny and indepth.
In spite of the book's title a good book.
India on the move
The real story behind India

In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India
Edward Luce
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0385514743
Release Date: 2007-01-16

Book Description

India remains a mystery to many Americans, even as it is poised to become the world’s third largest economy within a generation, outstripping Japan. It will surpass China in population by 2032 and will have more English speakers than the United States by 2050. In In Spite of the Gods, Edward Luce, a journalist who covered India for many years, makes brilliant sense of India and its rise to global power. Already a number-one bestseller in India, his book is sure to be acknowledged for years as the definitive introduction to modern India.

In Spite of the Gods illuminates a land of many contradictions. The booming tech sector we read so much about in the West, Luce points out, employs no more than one million of India’s 1.1 billion people. Only 35 million people, in fact, have formal enough jobs to pay taxes, while three-quarters of the country lives in extreme deprivation in India’s 600,000 villages. Yet amid all these extremes exists the world’s largest experiment in representative democracy—and a largely successful one, despite bureaucracies riddled with horrifying corruption.

Luce shows that India is an economic rival to the U.S. in an entirely different sense than China is. There is nothing in India like the manufacturing capacity of China, despite the huge potential labor force. An inept system of public education leaves most Indians illiterate and unskilled. Yet at the other extreme, the middle class produces ten times as many engineering students a year as the United States. Notwithstanding its future as a major competitor in a globalized economy, American. leaders have been encouraging India’s rise, even welcoming it into the nuclear energy club, hoping to balance China’s influence in Asia.

Above all, In Spite of the Gods is an enlightening study of the forces shaping India as it tries to balance the stubborn traditions of the past with an unevenly modernizing present. Deeply informed by scholarship and history, leavened by humor and rich in anecdote, it shows that India has huge opportunities as well as tremendous challenges that make the future “hers to lose.”

Customer Reviews:

Expertly well constructed analysis........2007-06-14

This book provides, by far, the best coverage of contemporary socio-economic and political India. Aside from the few dismissive sentences, the analysis is very, very balanced. Topics are not treated at a depth greater than would be comparatively reasonable; at the same time the total coverage provided is also perfectly fitting.

The book is written with the non-Indian reader in mind. The middle part of the book essentially digresses from economic topics. But the approach is most appropriate, since any discussion of the current and future economic possibilities must be expertly cognizant of India's complex past. Luce develops material that a reader of Indian origin may dismiss on account of familiarity. However, such a reader would be wise to persist, since Luce brings together an extremely balanced and even-handed analysis of the cummulative effect of historical social, ethnic and political history on the current state of India's economic policy and its political and state institutions - in the most meaningful manner.

Luce takes the most appropriate view - first tabling and analyzing the vast and complex interrelationship between India's historic economic, social, political and religious/cultural history, and then asking the question, "What would have to happen, should we want the upbeat projections of India's rise in the global economy to come true?" He is correct in establishing the argument that none of the economic growth in the services sector will mean much in the end, unless basic reforms are undertaken in India's government sector (state or federal), its commercial and social legal frameworks, its political institutions and their effect on India's long-term economic policy.

It's a very comprehensive book for those who think they possess a sufficient understanding of India based on their Indian origins; and it is highly recommended for anyone trying to understand contemporary India in multiple perspectives, especially if you intend to do business there.

There is no other book out there that does a better job on this topic. I am a confirmed fan now, and wish I could had read Luce's weekly writings in The Financial Times.

Interesting, funny and indepth........2007-06-08

Edward Luce has written an eminently readable book about India. His observations are very insightful,laced with a good measure of the British sense of humor. He has travelled extensively in India,interacted with countless people from all walks of life,with myriad political affiliations,and has managed to get under the skin of this strange amorphus entity that is India.
Its a pleasure to recommend this book to both Indians and non-Indians alike!

In spite of the book's title a good book........2007-06-08

If good journalism is relating true stories and letting the reader draw conclusions, Edward Luce shows it by example in this book. In between the first and the last chapters, Luce relates a story or an interview after another. The stories were very entertaining. Although I was a little bewildered, I felt it was a good method to leave the reader alone as to what to make of these stories. After all the subject was India.

Comparisons with China, as regards to India's economic development, are inevitable. This book continues on this popular theme. However, one aspect, and the reason I bought and chose to read this book, is missing. The title suggests that India's growth has been 'in spite of the Gods.' It's been a matter of pride to many Indians and a source of embarrassment to some that India has been and being peddled as a 'spiritual' nation to others.

While any nation's growth cannot be rightly accredited to any Gods, in case of India they might have been only stumbling blocks. (We've been just tripping over the idols.) China doesn't probably have as big an impediment. (Probably India's image is its own enemy.) Where then is an argument for this? Luce's book, because of a misleading title, has been a let down in only that aspect . (In his defense, Luce through his title was probably only making a statement without intending to provide any further evidence. His point was indirectly about India's development.)

Luce's only involved himself with the economic and social factors contributing to India's recent success. He did his homework very well and presents a book which is fun to read. Get it.

India on the move.......2007-06-03

This a good book on where India has been and where it is heading. From the influence of Mughals and the British that followed them, India was shaped, stalled and influenced by these outsiders. The caste system that haunts the lower classes, the inept politicians who play caste politics to divide and conquer the electorate, the slow decision making that the Indian democracy demands, it's all here and more. The author is well informed, he understands the nuances of Indian politics, and he exposes the smooth talking (much of it is non-sense) politicians for what they are: corrupt, inept and uneducated dolts. But he also illustrates the positives: a rising middle class, the idealists who are making a difference in their own way and the newly educated class who are making a difference through their hard work. India is on the move and author gives you a sense of where it might be headed.

The real story behind India.......2007-05-21

There are so much interesting and disturbing information in this book that you never read about in the mainstream media, or never in as much detail. Edward Luce has done an excellent job explaining the many problems and promise of present day India. This was one of my 5 favorite books of the year so far.

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